DC joins growing list of states banning cellphones in schools for 2025-26

Washington, D.C., has joined what is perhaps the most bipartisan public-school movement of our time – banning cellphones from classrooms.

Starting Aug. 25, it will implement a bell-to-bell ban for middle and high school students, according to Hubbard Broadcasting’s WTOP News.

“The most important reason is we’ve seen positive impact,” D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee said of a pilot program banning cellphones from middle schools.

“While it was a challenge at first, (students in the program) feel better connected to their peers, less distracted during the school day and have been able to form positive relationships.”

Since Florida began regulating such devices in 2023, more than half of all U.S. states followed suit in just two years, the Associated Press reported in May. 

‘A cancer on our kids’ 

Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized the addictive nature of cellphones, citing a range of studies finding a detrimental effect to learning. 

“This is not just an academic bill,” Republican Rep. Scott Hilton said of Georgia’s bill banning such devices for grades K-8. “This is a mental health bill. It’s a public safety bill.” 

Democrat Rep. Jennifer Leeper, co-chair of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Education Committee, called phones “a cancer on our kids … driving isolation, loneliness, decreasing attention and having major impacts both on social-emotional well-being but also learning.” 

The new D.C. policy allows schools flexibility in deciding enforcement. 

“Some high schools have used storage lockers while others have used pencil pouches as a way to store devices during the day,” WTOP News wrote. 

These stricter rules will help students focus and can lead to fewer bullying incidents, according to Ferebee. 

“We do have policies and procedures in place where school leaders will communicate with families and parents about any incidents that occur in schools, and ensure that they’re informed quickly of any critical incidents.” 

‘A game changer‘

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed a similar “bell-to-bell” measure into law in May, which will take effect Aug. 1. 

“This is a game changer for our public schools, giving students the freedom to focus on learning and to interact with teachers and friends without the constant tug of their cellphones and addictive social media,” he said in a statement.  

Lawmakers made exemptions for students who need electronic monitoring devices for medical purposes or enroll in individualized education programs (IEPs) – exceptions mirrored in legislation elsewhere, the Associated Press notes. 

“Most states are letting students use electronic devices to monitor medical needs and meet the terms of their special education plans. Some are allowing exceptions for translation devices if English isn’t a student’s first language or when a teacher wants students to use devices for classwork.” 

While some bans affect classroom use only, lawmakers in Missouri ultimately decided a longer period throughout the school day would most benefit students. 

The Show Me State passed a measure May 13 banning such devices in districts not only during instructional time, but also recesses and lunch. 

“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell,” said state Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, “that’s going to have the biggest turnaround.”